Hepatitis B is a serious, infectious and long-term inflammation of the liver caused by a virus. Very common around the world. The virus can be transmitted by unprotected sexual intercourse, exposure to infectious blood during a medical procedure, piercings and from an infected mother during childbirth or breastfeeding. The symptoms include nausea, stomach pain, diarrhea, and jaundice of the skin, eyes or mucous membranes. Some people who are infected go on to develop chronic hepatitis B, which increases their risk of cirrhosis and liver cancer. The vaccine is included for risk groups in the National Vaccination Programme.
- Lääkeinfo.fi: Engerix-B adults and children (in Finnish)
- Lääkeinfo.fi: HBVAXPRO (ages 16 and up) (in Finnish)
- Lääkeinfo.fi: Twinrix for adults and children (combination vaccine for hepatitis A and B) (in Finnish)
- THL, Infectious diseases: Hepatitis B (in Finnish)
- THL, Traveller’s Health Guide: Hepatitis B (in Finnish)
- THL, Immunisation: Hepatitis B vaccine
- WHO, Fact sheet: Hepatitis B
